Invitations

Use the space on the front for date, place and time, or write it on the back and throw a stamp on the postcard.

Scroll down for downloadable lip balm labels

DIY Lip Balm and Invitation Graphics

Let’s say you’re going to take DIY to the next level. You can easily create your own invitations using Canva (look for “Create a Design” –> “Postcard”) or Pic Monkey. It’s super easy and your cards will look professional.

You can also make your own lip balm labels on either of the above websites. The cheap and easy way to do it is to design and then print onto return address labels. For a more professional look, design labels using these dimensions: 2.125″ x 1.6875″. Scroll down for a suggested place to purchase the label paper.

Now for the Instructions

The results on your lips are perfect: enough to show color, but not so much that you look like your great-aunt at Thanksgiving.

I personally use cocoa butter rather than shea butter in this recipe and that’s because the chocolate scent hides the sometimes earthy natural scent of the iron oxide colorant. Whether you use cocoa butter or shea butter (or mango butter or avocado butter), the ratio would be the same.

Melt completely in a double boiler or dedicated (make-up only) small crock pot.

Using a wooden skewer, add in:

1.5 tsp of iron oxide colorant (see below for source)

Stir well.

Use a medicine dropper to carefully fill each lip balm tube almost to the top. Leave a bit of room to cap off the lip balms with more lip balm mixture. Do this when the tubed lip balm is almost dry, but not quite.

Bonus! Downloadable and Printable Lip Balm Labels

We have downloadable lip balm labels for you in two different colors (one matches our Crimson Rose tinted lip balm and the other is our French Plum).

Variations and troubleshooting:

I caution against using Amazon as a source for purchasing pigments, unless you’re familiar with the reputation of the company.

Iron oxide is my colorant of choice due to its rich hue, natural tones, and affordable price. Make sure that the particle size is small for easy blending.

Use titanium dioxide (preferred) or zinc oxide to create a lighter version of your main colorant.

A natural, easy to use, but expensive colorant to try is carmine (a rich red colorant, but as it’s derived from an insect called the cochineal, there might be a bit of ick associated with it)

Make sure the colorant is oil-soluble, (water-soluble-only won’t do… it must be oil-soluble).

Micas won’t add color, per se, but can add some shimmer/glitter and shine as they come in hues of gold and silver. When mixed with an iron oxide, you may need to add more than the 1.5 tsp total to create a strong enough color. Otherwise, use the 1.5 tsp of iron oxide, and then add a bit of mica.

Make sure the iron oxide you use is cosmetic-safe and is 100% iron oxide (if it’s not the only ingredient, that’s not necessarily bad, but you may need to adapt the amount).

Check a small amount by dropping a few drops onto wax paper, allow to dry, and then apply to the lips.